FOR CRICKET FANATICS

For all those who love cricket, this will be an interesting documentary. PLEASE DO NOT MISS IT. Please click the link below

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/10187355/Ashes-2013-Watch-video-of-1948-Ashes-series.html

Ashes 2013: Watch video of 1948 Ashes series

It's a world away from Hot Spot, DRS and Snicko (and probably none the worse for that) but this video shows a glimpse of how televised cricket might have looked in 1948.

This recently unearthed British Council documentary provides a snapshot of English cricket over 60 years ago. Narrated by Sir Ralph Richardson and the great BBC commentator John Arlott, it shows beautiful footage of Test cricket and the theatre surrounding it, as well as the more humble cricket on the village green.

There is some splendid slow-motion footage of the Lord's Test of 1948, featuring such legends of the game as Sir Don Bradman, Sir Len Hutton, Denis Compton and Keith Miller.

The Pathe documentary footage is also very strong on the crowd, the sense of occasion of a Lord's Test that remains every bit as much of a national event today as it did in Sir Don's last Ashes tour of England.

Thanks to Mr. Balayogi

May be a bit long, but do not fail to read !

Will this control Inflation? Excellent examples.......please let all of your friends know this

Nice Logic - It Will Work !!

 A man eats two eggs each morning for breakfast. When he goes to the Kirana store he pays Rs. 12 a dozen. Since a dozen eggs won't last a week he normally buys two dozens at a time. One day while buying eggs he notices that the price has risen to Rs. 16. The next time he buys groceries, eggs are Rs. 22 a dozen.

When asked to explain the price of eggs the store owner says, "The price has gone up and I have to raise my price accordingly" . This store buys 100 dozen eggs a day. He checked around for a better price and all the distributors have raised their prices. The distributors have begun to buy from the huge egg farms. The small egg farms have been driven out

of business. The huge egg farms sell 100,000 dozen eggs a day to distributors. With no competition, they can set the price as they see fit. The distributors then have to raise their prices to the grocery stores. And on and on and on.

As the man kept buying eggs the price kept going up. He saw the big egg trucks delivering 100 dozen eggs each day. Nothing changed there. He checked out the huge egg farms and found they were selling 100,000 dozen eggs to the distributors daily. Nothing had changed but the price of eggs.

Then week before Diwali the price of eggs shot up to Rs. 40 a dozen. Again he asked the grocery owner why and was told, "Cakes and baking for the holiday". The huge egg farmers know there will be a lot of baking going on and more eggs will be used. Hence, the price of eggs goes up. Expect the same thing at Christmas and other times when family cooking, baking, etc. happen.

This pattern continues until the price of eggs is Rs. 60 a dozen. The man says, " There must be something we can do about the price of eggs". He starts talking to all the people in his town and they decide to stop buying eggs. This didn't work because everyone needed eggs.

Finally, the man suggested only buying what you need. He ate 2 eggs a day. On the way home from work he would stop at the grocery and buy two eggs. Everyone in town started buying 2 or 3 eggs a day.  The grocery store owner began complaining that he had too many eggs in his cooler. He told the distributor that he didn't need any eggs.

Maybe wouldn't need any all week.

The distributor had eggs piling up at his warehouse. He told the huge egg farms that he didn't have any room for eggs would not need any for at least two weeks.

At the egg farm, the chickens just kept on laying eggs. To relieve the pressure, the huge egg farm told the distributor that they could buy the eggs at a lower price.

The distributor said, " I don't have the room for the %$&^*&% eggs even if they were free". The distributor told the grocery store owner that he would lower the price of the eggs if the store would start buying again.

The grocery store owner said, "I don't have room for more eggs. The customers are only buying 2 or 3 eggs at a time. Now if you were to drop the price of eggs back down to the original price, the customers would start buying by the dozen again".

The distributors sent that proposal to the huge egg farmers but the egg farmers liked the price they were getting for their eggs but, those chickens just kept on laying. Finally, the egg farmers lowered the price of their eggs. But only a few paisa.

The customers still bought 2 or 3 eggs at a time. They said, "when the price of eggs gets down to where it was before, we will start buying by the dozen."

Slowly the price of eggs started dropping. The distributors had to slash their prices to make room for the eggs coming from the egg farmers.

The egg farmers cut their prices because the distributors wouldn't buy at a higher price than they were selling eggs for. Anyway, they had full warehouses and wouldn't need eggs for quite a while. And those chickens kept on laying.

Eventually, the egg farmers cut their prices because they were throwing away eggs they couldn't sell.

The distributors started buying again because the eggs were priced to where the stores could afford to sell them at the lower price. And the customers starting buying by the dozen again.

Now, transpose this analogy to the gasoline industry.

What if everyone only bought Rs 200.00 worth of Petrol each time they pulled to the pump? The dealer's tanks would stay semi full all the time. The dealers wouldn't have room for the gas coming from the huge tanks. The tank farms wouldn't have room for the petrol coming from the refining plants. And the refining plants wouldn't have room for the oil being off loaded from the huge tankers coming from the oil fiends.

Just Rs 200.00 each time you buy gas. Don't fill up the tank of your car. Don't drive to places where you can walk. Don't drive to places where you are just driving because you have a vehicle to spare. You may have to stop for gas twice a week, but the price should come down.

Think about it.

Also, don't buy anything else at the fuel station; don't give them any more of your hard earned money than what you spend on gas, until the prices come down..."

...just think of this concept for a while.

............ ......please pass this concept around....reaching out to the masses ...the world .....

Sent by Priya Ashok

 BHASKARAN19 said...

hmm கேட்க /படிக்க நல்லா இருக்கு

November 25, 2011 9:21 PM

 hvaidya said...

I think it can be done and may work. Today I filled petrol only for Rs.500/- instead of filling the tank. If everybody starts to do like this, who knows it may happen.

November 26, 2011 10:22 PM

 manikandan said...

wonderful idea!. The idea worked well for eggs as it is a perishable good and cant be stored for longer periods given the poor state of supply chain management in India and people have alternatives for eggs.Whereas petrol is an essential commodity and there is no substitute for it..but whats the harm in trying. lets try...

December 5, 2011 2:50 PM

I did this. Did you?

Summer is at its peak. It has already crossed 37 degree C. Many birds die in summer due to lack of water. Place water pots for thirsty birds in terraces, compound walls, and balconies.

sent by Ms. Priya Ashok

Anonymous said...

i'm doing it :-)

April 21, 2011 5:23 PM

hvaidya said...
Good. Please also spread among your friends and relatives

April 21, 2011 7:07 PM

Harisankar said...
there was a little bird at the back of my home. it looked really famished during the hot summer. i presume it is done now. this would have helped. :( . at the last home we stayed there were a lot of thumb sized color full birds, mynahs, squirrels (took away my vicks inhaler my fault when i tricked it with idle), keeries and the like. amma used to feed them.

May 6, 2011 10:42 PM

One more about the World cup 2011

       Unforgettable shot ( M.S.Dhoni's last ball sixer)

COINCIDENCES BETWEEN 1983 & 2011 CRICKET WORLD CUPS

Both the years’ 1st January started on Saturday

Both the years sum up to 2 (83 & 11)

Both the years’ World Cup was inaugurated on a Thursday (09.06.1983 & 17.02.2011)

Both the years’ finals were played on a Saturday

Both the years India was in Group B

Both the years India was on second place in the group table after the league matches

Both the years India won 4 out of their 6 league matches

Both the years in the last league match India won the toss, elected to bat, and was bowled out and still India won that match

Both the years India played their last league match on 20th (20.06.83 & 20.03.11)

Both the years India played against Australia before Semi-finals

Both the years India played their semi-final on Wednesday (22.06.83 & 30.03.11)

Both the years the opposition finalist won their last match before Semi-finals by 10 wickets (West Indies against Zimbabwe & Sri Lanka against England)

And -- Both the years - INDIA WON THE WORLD CUP

And the best piece : In 1983 a sardar was the President of India and a lady was the PM
In 2011, a lady is the President and a sardar is the PM

Sent by Mr. Yessel Narasimhan
Saras said...
Awesome compilation! Truly Amazing coincidences well documented.

April 12, 2011 10:13 AM

Is that worth going to the polling booth?

This is another letter from Mr. Karthik, son of Mr. Sankarcs. Please spend this day by reading the links sent by him before you go to vote. (After reading this, if You do not go to vote, I will not be surprised. Because I am in that mood.)

From: karthik subramanian
Date: Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 2:08 AM
Subject: Just an awareness
To: sankarcs56


Appa,

I met a person in Bremen. He is a IIT professor and he is a member to compose this report. You shall read this and forward this to ppl, arvindsdad owner, other good hearted ppl to increase awareness.

http://goo.gl/8WVln

also

http://www.adrindia.org/Frontpage-Articles/Content-Front-Page/upcoming-state-assembly-election-2011.html

Thank you 'n have a GREAT day.

--

With Love 'n Regards,

Karthik

Don't be lazy to open the links and read. You will be missing something

Letter written by Mr. Modi to Anna Hazare

I was always avoiding politics, in this blog, because, I was  afraid that will spoil my good friendship, may be with few of my readers, who may belong to various parties. Even though I will be the happiest person if Mr. Narendra Modi, becomes the Prime Minister of India, I was avoiding posting anything about him, even though I receive almost every day a mail from Ms. Hilda Raja and Mr. Bhaskaran Sivaraman, narrating the achievements this gentleman has got, and the progress Gujarat is making.With great reluctance and heavy heart, I was not sharing them with you all. But this mail I received made me to post this, because, If I don't, I thought I will be doing injustice to this man. Here is the mail.

11-08-2011

Respected Sir

Namaskarams. 

I am a bank officer residing at Nanganallur and used to visit my relative's house at Besant Nagar frequently.

I am also one your fans  Not a day passes without seeing your blog.
In fact last few years I could make not less than 40 people to visit your blog frequently.
My login-id in your blog is  "sankarcs" 

This is my first email to you, Sir.

I forward an e-mail received from my son from Germany.

I wish to draw your kind attention to this following link too  on "Narendra Modi writes an open letter to Anna
(I removed the link and  published below)

Rest I am leaving it you, Sir

With Namaskarams

= sankarcs


This is the letterr written by Mr. Narendra Modi. It is very touching and reveals how badly he is hurt, 

Respected Annaji, 

On the eighth day of fasting in the Navratri I am inspired to write to you early at 5 O'clock in the morning.

When you were sitting at fast in Delhi during that period, I too was fasting on the occasion of Navratri, the period that symbolizes the embodiment of Divine Shakti. I was pleased indeed that by the grace of Maa Jagadamba I happened to be a co-traveller in your crusade albeit indirectly. 

Observing the Navratri fast and being busy in election campaigning, I was fortunate to have the darshan of Mother Kamakshi in Assam. Your fasting was in progress and naturally I did pray to Kamakshidevi about your health and I feel certain that a divine power has been kind enough to bestow her blessings on you.

Yesterday I was back from Kerala campaign to Gandhinagar at 2 am. 

And it was yesterday that I got the encouraging news of your expressing kind words for Gujarat and me. 

I am fortunate and grateful to get your blessings. 

Respected Annaji, my respect for you is decades old. Before I entered politics I was full time RSS pracharak. At that time national leaders of the RSS who came to attend our meetings invariably discussed your rural development activities so that it could be emulated. It has tremendous impact on me. In the past I also had the good fortune of meeting you. 

I and my state of Gujarat are indebted to you for the courage and conviction you showed in saying good words for me and my state. In this show of courage you exhibited commitment to truth and a soldier-like conviction. And because of this your opinion has been universally accepted. 

I request you to also bless me that your praise will not make be complacent and commit mistakes.

Your blessings have given me the strength to do what is right and what is good. At the same time my responsibility has also become more. Because of your statement crores of youth would now be having great expectations and therefore even a small mistake of mine will disappoint them. Therefore I have to remain vigilant and I seek your blessings for the same. 

Respected Annaji, in this delicate moment, I should say that I come from a simple family and am a common man too. In my family no one is even distantly connected to politics or remains close to power; I do not have illusions that I am a perfect individual. Like a common man I too have my own limitations; good and bad qualities. 

I pray that I am always blessed by Mother Jagadamba so that bad qualities do not take possession of me. Always thinking of doing good to Gujarat, I would devote myself to the progress of Gujarat and therefore like to wipe out the tears from the face of the poor. For doing all this I pray that I am never short of your blessings, and this is my humble request. 

Respected Annaji, you are a Gandhian and a soldier. Yesterday during election campaign in Kerala when I heard about your blessings for me and my state I feared that you will be subjected to vilification. A certain group inimical to -Gujarat will not let go this opportunity to malign your love, sacrifice, penance and commitment to truth. They will try to tarnish your name because you spoke well of me and my state.

As bad luck would have it this has come true. Once again this inimical forces have come to the fore. On the occasion of Navratri I pray to Maa Jagadamba that no one sullies your fair name. 

You will be aware that whosoever talks good of Gujarat he or she will be subjected to the vilification campaign. 

In the past a senior Muslim parliamentarian from Canoor constituency hailing from the Communist Party Shri P Abdulla Kutty was ostracized from the party following his praising of Gujarat's development.

The superstar of this century Shri Amitabh Bachchan when he worked free for Gujarat Tourism was also attacked by this same group of inimical forces. They spread falsehoods against Bachchan so as to snap his old ties with Gujarat. At a public function in Mumbai where Bachchan was invited this group had stopped him from entering. 

Also a campaign was let loose to malign the leading Gandhian of Gujarat Shri Gunavant Shah who is speaking for the atma-gaurav of Gujarat. 

Maulana Ghulam Vastanavi of Gujarat who was elected as head of the Darul Uloom of Deoband was also subjected to vilification campaign when he praised the development of Gujarat. He had publicly said that Gujarat is surging ahead on the road of fast paced development, and without any religious discrimination everybody was getting the fruits of development. Soon he was silenced by undue harassment by the same forces. 

Recently, Major General IS Sinha (sic) of Golden Katara division of Indian Army when he praised the development of Gujarat he too was beleaguered by the same forces and there was even a demand for disciplinary action against the major general. 

These are only a few examples. But Gujarat's real developmental journey is an anathema to this group bent upon heaping calumny on my state. Whenever the name of Gujarat is mentioned these forces immediately swing into action to spread canards and falsehoods.

Respected Annaji, Gujarat's six crore people do not want that, the same group should sadden you.

I am still afraid that, this group will put you in trouble. May God give you strength. 

I humbly bow to the sacrifices and penances you have made for the country. Let God bless you with supreme health so that many like me would be beneficiary of your guidance. This is my heartfelt prayer. 

Yours

(Narendra Modi)

VETHA KUZHAMBHU AND VENGAYA SAMBAR

This blog posting from "kramans.blogspot.com" was sent by Mr. Anantharaman Tarakkad. I liked it and felt like sharing with you.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

If Valmiki and Vyasa took Indian Epic writing to its pinnacle of glory, if Shakespeare and Milton lent lustre to English Literature, if Lindwall and Miller tormented the batsmen the world over and always haunted in pair, if Gandhiji and Vinobhaji instilled spirituality in politics, Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar, demonstrate the Tamil Brahmin's culinary skill at its sharpest best.
Vetha Kuzhambu and Vengaya sambar, like Sehwag and Sachin, would always dominate the scene and that is the reason perhaps they are not served on plantain leaves in marital lunches. Any other sambar, needs the support of a thair pacchadi, avial, olan, parrupu usili and karakari, to survive the lunch. Remove the support of the various vegetables save one and sambar would surrender at once - a roaring lion, only when there is a retinue around. Not Vengaya Sambar. It can stand its ground in testing time. When Vengaya Sambar is around, like one's own wife, who would glance at Avial or pacchadi, mere coquettes, though they may have inviting looks?

"In small things we just beauty see,
In short measure, life may perfect be",

says Shakespeare in one of his sonnets, underlying the fact that it is the small vengayam that we are talking about. In Travancore, small vengayam is called ulli or Eerulli. The larger one doesn't deserve a treatise to write about.

Vetha Kuzhambu and Vengaya Sambar can conquer the world with the help of a single vegetable to play a subordinate role, as Kapil Dev played that world conquering game, with Syed Kirmani at the other end. When Concerns in Mumbai served Vengaya Sambar with Potato karakari on Thursdays, a serpentine queue with saliva oozing out, would wait for hours. If no vegetable is available, Vetha Kuzhambu can still hold its sway with the help of a roasted appalam. Sorry my Palakkad brothers and sisters.  Our pappadam cannot measure upto the expectations of Vetha Kuzhambu. They are not made for each other. It is always ensnared by the amorous advances of  appalam.

I prepared only vetha kuzhambhu and chutta appalam today, a Thanjavur Mami, would murmur in humility, oblivious of the fact that the aroma from her kitchen has already reached eight houses ahead in her Agraharam. Chutta appalam, like chundaikai  or karela, can also immerse in Vetha kuzhambhu, reiterating the fact that it is part of the household and not a mere catalytic agent.

And yet, we deny them their legitimate place in marriage lunches; instead we relegate them to the light dinner on the marriage day when all the ceremonies are over and only a few are around. Why treat your best batsmen as tailenders? Is it because all other vegetables have ganged up to isolate Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar, so that they too are noticed? Would it be a blasphemy if we serve Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar in saddhies of Sasta preetis, instead of several vegetables and varieties of payasams? After all payasams were dictated by palate and not prescribed by Shastras.

Idli and Mulagapodi are always made for each other. And yet, Chutney and Vengaya Sambar are not looked upon as the 'the other woman'. What more, Vengaya Sambar can also lend legitimacy to Idli and dosai and take them to dizzy heights.

If Vengaya Sambar and Potato Karakari is unparalleled, Koorkai, Chenai and Banana also go well with it. It does not need  varieties of vegetables or pathnis as it strictly follows Lord Sriram.It chooses one and remains loyal. However, Vetha Kuzhambhu is too strong a personality to entertain Idli and Dosai. It prefers to stand alone or mingle with a few lesser mortals. It is a little complex personality and yet has popular appeal.

One needs the arbitrating skills of a Solomon Pappaya to decide whether Vengaya Sambar emerges out better when prepared with Sambar Powder or ground coconut and other ingredients. To put in Brahminical tamil, whether Podi potta sambar scores over arachuvitta sambar, if Vengayam is the main ingredient?  I am for one, is a protagonist of vengaya sambar, prepared with sambar powder. The vengayam here is endowed with a rare ability, as the overcast sky does to a swing bowler. When ground coconut is used, the sharpness of Vengayam is bludgeoned as the effectiveness of a pace bowler is, in a flat wicket. Fortunately, Vetha Kuzhambhu does not face such a threat from coconut. I may be torn into pieces by some of the well known professional cooks or mamas and mamis from Palakkad for this sacrilegious statement. It is availability that dictates the ingredients and develop the taste.

One major area where Vetha Kuzhambhu differs from its brother Vengaya Sambar is in longevity. As some of its ingredients are basically preservatives, Vetta Kuzhambhu is blessed with a longer shelf life. Vengaya sambar suffers from Balarishtams if not alpa-ayusu.

Vengaya Sambar, as the very name suggests, leans on good quality small onions, for survival. Vetha Kuzhambhu does not need such singular support. It needs varieties of ingredients and deft handling which is available aplenty in Thanjavur and Trichi. (yours truly is a poor soul from Travancore).

It is not Sandhya Vandhanam or various other rituals that  bench mark brahminical eminence. Ability to prepare, enjoy and evaluate quality Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar that marks brahminical endowments.

Let young mothers and fathers dissuade their children from Pav Bhaji and Pani poori and instead eulogise them, if they show proclivity towards Vengaya Sambar and Vetha Kuzhambhu.

And finally, let me make a Marxian appeal. Brahminical youth, unite! You have nothing to lose except polluted and contaminated pav bhajis and pani poories and a world with Vetha Kuzhambhu and Vengaya Sambar to gain.

Saras said...

When I read the post I could smell the inevitable aroma of Vengaya sambar and vetha kuzhambu floating in the Air. Tanks Mr.Vaidya for sharing it.

February 13, 2011 5:44 PM

Hemalatha said...

Dear Sir, How True ! Very often it is the Tailenders who save the Match. Similarly,serving Vetha Kuzhambu on the last day of marriage is done so that everyone will remember it and the taste will linger for long. When we return after a long and tired journey it is the Vetha Kuzhambu which we all look forward to and relish. It is so light in the tummy that we look forward to it so often. Regards

February 13, 2011 6:14 PM

BHASKARAN19 said...

வத்த குழம்பு படத்தை பார்த்தவுடன் நாக்கில் தண்ணி ஊருகிறது , அதோடு இந்த வடையும் சேர்த்தல் இன்னும் சூப்பராக இருக்கும் http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQiy8OyrwGQ

PriyaV said...
Aaha...yenna arumai! Now I am hungry....

February 14, 2011 10:35 PM

cvsmuthy said...

When I read this lovely, if I may be permitted to say so, Ode on Vengaya sambar and Vetha kuzambu I recollect the definition give by my erstwhile teachers of fifties on Idly. It goes like this 'Idly is a ship sailing on river sambar on the banks of chutney".

February 21, 2011 8:24 PM

Mahadevan said...

The article "Vetta Khuzhambu and Vengaya Sambar was written by me and sent to iyer 123.com on 31st January and they carried it the following day. Many readers of iyer123.com copied and few have displayed it in their post. Only the original article was written by me and recipe, pictures of Vetta Khuzhambhu are not mine. They are the additions of the bloggers. The original article under my signature V.Mahadevan is available in the Messages Section of iyer.123 in Yahoo groups.

March 18, 2011 1:41 PM

 Sruti said...

I have been reading articles in your blog at random.. especially the ones around Carnatic music. Good ones. In this particular post, the lines that have been quoted ("In small things we just beauty see,In short measure, life may perfect be") as from Shakespeare, I think actually are from Ben Jonson in his sonnet "Nature".

Regards
Sruti

November 20, 2011 1:57 PM

A westerner's view of Rameswaram

I am yet to visit Rameswaram, eventhough I went upto Karaikudi.

This article in Newyork times was sent to me by my daughter in law. Click and read the link below
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/houses-of-the-holy/?ref=travel

Service in aid of service

Dear Shri Vaidhyanathan,

I received this mail from one of my music friends. I too have read about this Mr Krishnan earlier,
and his selfless efforts are quite laudable, unmatched. If only he can be identified as the winner
by the CNN, he can continue the service with some succour. I have sent this mail to all my
friends. As an avid reader of your blog, I feel, this request to vote for Mr.Krishnan, which is very
easy, will get a wide and positive publicity. Thanks. Best regards,


K.Krishnamurthy,
19 Blossom Hill Dr.
Plainsboro, NJ, USA 08530.

Quote:

Subject: Vote for Narayanan Krishnan - in a list of 10 heroes that CNN has picked for CNN Hero Of the Year

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive10/naryanan.krishnan.html

Please vote. And forward it to people whom you think will vote.


All you have to do is Vote for krishnan.No gimmics,no obligations

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive10/naryanan.krishnan.html

New Delhi:  If you had not heard of Narayanan Krishnan, as I had not, it is a collective failure. This is one of the most incredible stories of personal commitment.

Narayanan Krishnan, all of 29 years old now, does what he was professionally trained to do as a chef. Feed people. Only Krishnan does not do this in the swanky confines of a 5-star hotel. Every day, he wakes up at 4 am, cooks a simple hot meal and then, along with his team, loads it in a van and travels about 200 km feeding the homeless in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Krishnan feeds, often with his hands, almost 400 destitute people every day. And for those who need it, he provides a free haircut too. According to CNN, eight years ago, this award-winning chef with a five-star hotel chain was all set to go to Switzerland for a high-profile posting. On a visit to a Madurai temple, he came across a homeless, old man eating his own human waste. That stark sight changed Krishnan's life.
Much to the dismay of his parents, CNN says, Krishnan abandoned his career plans and decided to spend his life and his professional training in looking after those who could not care for themselves. He has provided more than 1.2 million hot meals through his nonprofit organisation Akshaya Trust, and now hopes to extend this to shelter for the homeless too.

Krishnan is the only Indian in a list of 10 heroes that CNN has picked worldwide to honour. One of them will be chosen CNN Hero of the Year, selected by the public through an online poll. If many Indians get together to vote for this inspiring man, he can win by a long mile.

If Krishnan wins he will get $100,000 in addition to the $25,000 that he gets for being shortlisted for the Top 10. Akshaya Trust needs all the monetary support it can get to build on Krishnan's dream. Let's help him get there.
Vote for Krishnan here.

  (http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx

)

The poll continues through November 18 2010 at 6 a.m. ET.
We are crawling the Web for more great videos, tweets pictures, blogs and people that just must be showcased. If you spot some that make you stop and stare, send them in here. We'll be happy to credit it to your spidery efforts on the WWW.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/catch%20of%20the%20day/catch-he-brings-hot-meals-to-india-s-homeless-61029?cp

Anonymous said...

After all what Lord said in Baghvath geetha is true. Ananyach chinthayantho ..... yoga shemam vahamyaham. It is great.Kudos to Mr. Krishnan and all support to him.

October 23, 2010 7:38 PM

.

Is not India shining

This mail from Mr. Bhaskaran was very repentant about the negligence of our media ignoring this prestigious matter. I thought I can contribute my mite by publishing this here, so that at least few thousands who see my blog can see and spread the good news to many others, and also satisfy Mr. Bhaskaran. Here is the mail:

Not a single news channel telecasted this & not a single newspaper is interested in publishing this news. No media Coverage…...nothing for such an achievement from one of the Indian state.

Its proud moment for any country that one of its state got the United Nations prize for improving transparency , Accountability & responsiveness.

Even last year also, Government of Gujarat got first prize for drinking water supply programme and user level water quality.

Media is only interested in telecasting news of encounter of gangster Soharabuddin.

The facts given below will throw light on the mindset of the secularists, union government and the media - they have ignored national pride and concentrated more on harassment of an elected government. The overwhelming victory of BJP in the latest Municipal elections has proved this again that the voters of Gujarat are intelligent and mature enough to show doors to a vindictive party and the media.
 
 Check the certificate hanging in the office of Gujarat Chief Minister Shri. Narendra Modi.
 

Saras said...
Very true. Our Media is interested in broadcasting sensational news for improving its popularity.They are not interested in showcasing such accolades.

October 25, 2010 8:59 AM
Harisankar said...
mmm. I dont watch / take news channels for quite some time as each one favors a political party. It is depressing too to watch especially after work. Hey if a bunch of deranded single digit IQ guys want a hartal and beat each other to a pulp, I am a happy man.

October 25, 2010 4:49 PM

Most interesting mail ever received

 

I have posted under this caption many interesting mails received. But this is something very very special.

I am just posting this mail as it is. I hope many youngsters will be benefited

Dear Mama,

I am a regular visitor of your blog. I downloaded some songs and enjoyed them. Thanks.

I just found one web site about education. Check this site out and it will be useful for all school children. When I saw this site I remembered you and your blog.  It is completely free high quality education to anyone, anywhere through you tube (Home School comes in You tube). You can give this information to all. Thanks. Given the website below. Seetha Hariharan http://www.khanacademy.org/

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Dear Ms. Seetha Hariharan ! how will I express my gratitude to you !! You have clean bowled me when I was batting on my principle "Share whatever you acquire." and not even reached the double figure. A best gift on "Saraswathi Pooja" day to many youngsters.

Hats off to you

VASUDEVAN said...

Yes . One of the best and only site of its type in online,free education. Recently they have got SUPPORT FROM GATES foundation,google funds. vasudevan

October 15, 2010 11:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Excellent gift on Saraswati Puja day Thanks

October 16, 2010 5:44 AM

BHASKARAN said...

Unbelievable Ms Seetha, God send வர பிரசாதம் அதுவும் கல்வி கடவுள் சரஸ்வதி பூஜை அன்று Hats off to you Think Loud வாழ்த்துக்கள் சி பாஸ்கரன்

October 16, 2010 6:54 AM

aoldeva said...

Quote from Albert Einstein: "A hundred times everyday I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labours of other men - both living and dead - and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving." Dear Sir, You have given in the same measure. But, we, no, I! MK Devarajan

October 16, 2010 1:15 PM

Dr D Srinivasan said...
Looks to be a good link.

I have forwarded to 2 of my contacts who may benefit from this.

Thanks for the link.

Dr.D.Srinivasan

October 19, 2010 1:25 PM
Saras said...
Amazing Academy! Thanks a lot for sharing this information. I am learning afresh to equip myself to teach my Grand Daughter.

October 20, 2010 12:14 PM

A temple for Saraswathi

On Saraswathi pooja day, Ms. Hemalatha has sent these details about Saraswathi temple. I was born and brought up in a village (Pavattakkudi) that was just 10 miles away from this place and studied at Peralam which is 5 miles away.
 
Saraswathi Ambal temple at Koothanur

The ancient Saraswati Ambal temple at Koothanur is a one of its kind temple dedicated exclusively to the Goddess of Learning Saraswati. Although there are shrines to Saraswati in most Saivite temples as well as niche shrines to Bhrahma, temples dedicated exclusively to Brahma or Saraswati are very rare.

 

Koothanur is located near Poonthottam on the railway line between Mayiladuturai and Tiruvarur, in the heart of the Temple belt of India in Tamilnadu. This ancient shrine is rich in legends and beliefs and is closely associated with the Tamil poet Ottakoothar - a contemporary of Kamban and the author of works such as Kulottunga Cholan Ula. Ottakkoothar enjoyed the patronage of the Imperial Chola rulers. Legend has it that a young devotee desirous of knowledge performed severe penances at the Saraswati shrine here (11th-12th century CE), seeking the blessings of Saraswati. Saraswati took the form of a courtesan and materialized before him and expressed her desire to bless him. The devotee refused to accept her blessings, not knowing who she was. Upon hearing of this incident, and recognizing the identity of the courtesan, the poet Ottakkoothar rushed to the spot and prostrated before her seeking her blessings. It was after this incident that the fame of Ottakkoothar is said to have spread throughout the Tamil land. In fact, the name Koothanur derives from the poet's name Ottakoothar. Antiquity: The shrine here is said to have been erected by the poet Ottakoothar very early in the 2nd millennium CE. He is also said to have celebrated Vijaya Dasami, the day following the 9 day Navaratri festival in the tamil month of Purattasi here.  Several stone inscriptions, validating the antiquity of the temple are seen here. ****** It should come as no surprise that we find many reports that Saraswati temples in India are rare, and "there is only one", or two. It's true, there are even fewer Saraswati temples than there are Brahma temples, but we do find them at Basara, Shringeri, Pushkar, Panachikkad, Pehowa, Ubud-puri, Bhadrakali, Gairidhara, Kuthanoor, Nellaiappar, at Surabaya Java, and in Nepal. As the Goddess of Speech, Saraswati resides on the tongue of Lord Brahma, and that is her most sacred temple. Saraswati Temple at Kuthanoor, also known as the Maha Saraswathi Ambal temple, is located on the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur rail route, 1.5 km. from the village of Poonthottam in Tamil Nadu. Kuthanoor (Koothanur) is associated with the mingling of three sacred rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, who are said to converge here as the Harisol River, also called the Arasalaru. It is believed that one gets liberation from previous births by taking bath here in the Triveni Sangam. The temple is also known as Dakshina Triveni, and is considered a Gnanapeetam, or shrine of wisdom due to Saraswati's presence. This site is also associated with the pastime of Saraswati, having a disagreement with Lord Brahma. After the argument, and after worshipping Brahma and Shiva, she was allowed to mingle with the Harisol River here, and have a shrine on the river bank. Lord Brahma, who had already been cursed to have his worship restricted to Pushkar, was deprived of having a shrine here. After further prayers to Shiva, however, it was allowed that puja for Lord Brahma be done here, in association with sacrifices made for the departed souls, an activity conducted in Shiva's realm. Kuthanoor is also well known for its association with Ottakoothar, the famed Tamil poet. The origin of the word 'Koothanur' refers to a village gifted by Raja Raja Chola II to the singer Ottakkootthan. There are several stone inscriptions which validate the temple's antiquity. It is believed that Ottakoothar erected the shrine very early in the 2nd Millennium. He is also said to have observed Vijaya Dasami here, the day following the 9-day Navaratri festival in the Tamil month of Purattasi. The presiding deity, Saraswati Devi is here with her vahana swan. Just as the swan separates milk from water, so the Goddess Saraswati sees only the good in her devotees, and blesses them. The Devi Mahatmiyam praises Her as follows: "Clad in a white garment, seated in Padmasana in a white lotus, holding a book in the left hand, a veena in the right hand, with eyes expressing compassion and the third eye revealing knowledge, along with the lips rendering a warm smile." Saraswati, who is also known as Kalaimagal, is seated on a white lotus in Padmasana, facing east. She is dressed in a pure white silk saree. In her upper hands she holds the Akshara Mala and the Book of Knowledge (palm leaves), in her lower left hand the Amrutha Kalasha, her lower right hand in Chinmudra. She holds her Veena, Kachapi, across her lap. Her eyes are full of compassion, her third eye, Jatamudi, symbolizing Gnanasakshas. Her deity form is five feet tall.

On entering the temple, which is relatively small with a three-tiered gopuram, devotees come to the Bali Peetam, followed by the Mukha mandapam. Next is the Artha mandapam housing Lord Brahma, Brahmapureeswarar, Vallabha Ganapathi (Valampuri Vinayakar), and Bala Dandayuthapani. Other subsidiary deities include, Nagaraja, Murugan, and Narthana Vinayakar, who is a self-manifesting deity.

Purushotham Bharathi is said to have worshipped here, and the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt is beneficent to the temple authorities.

On full moon nights, children come here in droves with their parents, who have written the word “Om” on their tongues with a stick, dipped in honey. It is believed that these children will get the blessings of Saraswati Devi, and will blossom into fine orators, poets and musicians. Devotees also come here to pray for the success of their children’s education, placing notebooks, pencils and pens at Devi's feet, for blessings. It is also believed that the Goddess rectifies speech defects.

Devotees sing the following prayer to Saraswati:

Saraswathi Namasthubhyam, varade Kama roopini, Vidhyarambham karishyami, sidhir bhavathu me sada My salutations to Goddess Saraswati, Who can take any form, Who is the bestower of all boons, And I start learning now, With the prayer to her, To make it very effective. Yakundendu Thushara Hara Davalam, Ya shubra vastravrutham, Ya veena vara danda manditha kara, Ya shwetha padmasana, Ya brahmachyutha Sankara prbhruthibhi Daivai sada poojitha, Saa maam pathu saraswathi bhagawathi Nissesha jadyabaha. My saluations to Goddess Saraswati, Who is while like a Kunda flower, Who shines like the full moon, Who carries in her hand a Veena and a stick, Who is seated on the throne of white Lotus, Who is worshipped by the holy trinity, With a prayer to drive away all my slothfulness.

Temple Events

The temple is filled with devotees during Saraswathi Pooja and Vijayadashami. A regular program of morning and evening worship is also held. Navaratri festival is celebrated each year. On full moon days, Moola nakshatra days (Goddess Saraswati's star) and Wednesdays, special puja and abhishekam are offered. Saraswati is offered coconuts, flowers, bananas, betel leaves and nuts, white saris and lotus flowers.

Recently, thousands of devotees came to witness the Maha-kumbabishekam of this temple, which has been conducted here in 1941, 1968, 1987 and 2003. 

mail received from Ms. Hemalatha of Bangaluru 

Here are few songs to enjoy for the occasion (Saraswathi pooja)

1. http://www.mediafire.com/?4g6dvze5nxd62f1 Aaya kalaikkellam - Dr. Balamuralikrishna 
2. http://www.mediafire.com/?uu9h14u9lgaec4u Sri saraswathi - Nithyashree 
3. http://www.mediafire.com/?7ztpypopuhxwx39 Vellai thaamarai - Maharajapuram Santhanam

BHASKARAN said...

Thank you very much, right in time and excellent details, thanks to Ms Hemalatha Regards bhaskaran

October 15, 2010 6:48 AM

Dr D Srinivasan said...

Thanks for the details befitting the occasion.Have worshipped at this temple. One can also visit the temple a few kms nearby of Ambal where it is said Lalitha Sahasranamam was first recited.

October 15, 2010 2:14 PM

Anonymous said...

This is not related to the subject.I am keen on R.K.Padmanabha and M.s.Sheela music which I do not find in this blog.Actually Mysore musicians are left out.Can this be remedied? Bala tkb1936@gmail.com

October 15, 2010 5:33 PM